Mr. Antonio T. Davila passed away on November 26, 2016 in Kenedy, Texas at the age of 93. He was born June 29, 1923 in Woodsboro, Texas and spent his entire life in the small towns of South Texas.  He never learned to read or to write, but all of his surviving sons would get college degrees. He was a hard-working man who could fix anything – he ran a mechanics shop in Kenedy for many years and loved fixing tractors.  He loved the land and was also a longtime farmer and rancher, raising cattle and growing corn and watermelon, two of his favorite foods. He was very stubborn but a survivor – he survived being swept away in his truck by floodwaters, angioplasty surgery when he was in his 80s (shortly after his hospital stay, he hitchhiked home to his farm, catching rides with two deputies along the way) and a rattlesnake bite not long after that. Mr. Davila was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years Claudia Guerra Davila, whom he missed terribly, and by two sons, Tony Guerra Davila and Manuel Guerra Davila. He is survived by: sons, Alfred Guerra Davila, and his wife Viola Ann, and Rudy Guerra Davila, and his wife, Sylvia; daughter-in-law Madelon Davila; by five grandchildren, Cynthia Davila Johnson, Stephanie Davila Rodriguez, Tony Davila, Rudy Davila Jr., and Vianna Davila; and by great-grandchildren Gabriella and Luke Espurvoa, Trinity and Nathan Rodriguez, and Kortney Taylor. Viewing will be held at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas on Friday, December 2, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  A mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy at 11:30 a.m.  Burial will follow.

Librado “Leo” Garza, Age 85 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Sunday, November 13, 2016   in Kenedy, TX.  Leo was born on December 11, 1930 in Kenedy, TX to the late Exiquio and Eliza Garcia Garza. He married Viola Lopez on June 23, 1953 in Kenedy, TX who preceded him in death. On May 27, 1973, he married Evangelina Salinas in Kenedy, TX. He retired from the Kenedy Compress as a Cotton Gin Operator and was a devout member of Calvary Baptist Church in Karnes City, TX.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Viola Lopez Garza; parents, Exiquio and Eliza Garcia Garza; son Alberto Garza; sisters, Elva Lara, Lena Cano; brothers, George Garza, Exiquio Garza and a grandson Michael Damien Garza.

He is survived by his loving wife Evangelina Salinas Garza of Kenedy; daughters Elisa Salais and husband Jesse of Kenedy, Elsie Lopez and husband Johnny of Beeville, Estella Garza of Kenedy, Ellia Garza of Kenedy, Sharon Beard and husband Robert of Dyresburg, TN, Anna Lisa Garcia of Kenedy; sons Arturo Garza and wife Judy of Kenedy, Lee Anthony Garza and wife Lori of Kenedy, Christopher Scott Garza and wife Crystal of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, David Garza of Runge; 33 grandchildren and 19 grandchildren.

Etta Lucille Gentry Champagne, Age 86 of Pettus, TX passed away Saturday, November 12, 2016 in Seguin, TX. Etta was born on March 1, 1930 in Cordell, OK to the late Walter Dabney and Selma Zenobia Guenther Gentry. On July 8, 1950, she married Gilford P. Champagne, of Houma, LA in Victoria, TX.  She graduated from Patti Welder High School and Victoria College in Victoria, TX and continued her education graduating from Texas A & I University in Kingsville in August of 1964.  She began teaching in Pettus as their Home Economics teacher that Fall…until she retired in 1997.  She was a resident of Pettus from 1964-2011. During her years as a Home EC teacher in Pettus, she served as the advisor for the Pettus Future Homemakers of America (FHA) where she had 2 State Officers, 9 Area X Officers, 4 Region V officers, 2 STAR Event participants that advanced to the State level, one of which won a Gold Medal at the National FHA Leadership Conference.  Etta had a servant’s heart as she dedicated her life to serving others, especially children, and loved to see them succeed.  She was an active member of the Bee County Junior Livestock and Homemakers Show Board; Charter member of Vocational Home Economics Teachers Association of Texas; Pettus Youth Boosters; Little League volunteer in Victoria, Beeville, and Pettus, serving as Secretary-Treasurer in Beeville; Boy Scout Den Mother in Victoria, Beeville and Pettus; PTA Secretary at Smith Elementary in Victoria and PTA President at Maddrea-Flournoy Elementary in Beeville; Brownie Scout Leader in Pettus.  She was an active Rotary “Ann” assisting in fundraisers and entertaining numerous District Governors’ wives during their visits to Pettus Rotary Club.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gilford P. Champagne; parents, Walter and Selma Gentry; sister, Frieda O’Hara; brothers, LeeRoy Gentry, Marcus Gentry, Kenneth Gentry, and Edward Gentry.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristy Michelle Keach and husband Sam of George West; sons, Keith Paul Champagne and wife Sharon of Bedford, Kyle Lynn Champagne and wife Donna of Pettus; 8 grandchildren:  Stephen (Monica) Champagne, Joanne (Jay) Sparks, and Preston Durham all of the DFW metro area; Kay Lynn (Doug) Hawkins of Seguin, Kerri (JD) Went of San Antonio, Kevin (Summer) Champagne of Ray Point, Katelyn and Kailey Keach, both students at Texas Tech University in Lubbock; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Peggy Gentry and Rosetta Gentry of Victoria, and Barbara Gentry of Meyersville; and her brother-in-law Alvin Bonvillain of Houma, LA…along with numerous nieces and nephews in Victoria, Cuero, Meyersville, Abilene, San Antonio, Rockport, Houston and the Houma, LA area.

Family Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2016 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel from 6PM to 8PM. Services will be held Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Hessong officiating.  Interment will follow in the Beeville Memorial Park Cemetery in Beeville, TX.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Juanita Contreras of Kenedy died Oct. 27, 2016 at the age of 86. She was born in Yorktown to Francisco and Nicolasa Perez Contreras.  She was a house kepper and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

She is survived by sisters  Rosalinda Alaniz of Dallas, Sylvia Rangel of Edna, Mary Jane Jaramillo of LaVernia. Brother, Rogelio Contreras.   She is preceded by her sisters Carmen Reyna, Susana Garcia and Josephina Garcia, and one brother Nicholas Contreras.

A rosary will be recited Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 7 PM from the Eckols Chapel. Funeral mass will be held Monday October 31, 2016 at 10:00 AM from Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy.

Albert Dufour age 23 of Thomball, TX died Oct 27, 2016.  He is the son of Alberto and Ofelia Cruz Dufour.  He was catholic and a college student.  He is survived by his mother Ofelia Cruz and brothers Omied Sadeghi of Spring and Navied Sadeghi of Houston.  Funeral Mass will be held Sat. Nov. 5, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Interment will be in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Hortencia Canales Guerra, Age 71 of Karnes City, TX passed away on October 31, 2016 in Floresville, TX. She was born on October 20, 1945 in Monterey Nuevo Leon, Mexico.  She was a homemaker and of the Catholic Faith. She is preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her loving husband Roberto F. Guerra, Sr. of Karnes City, daughter, Irma Patricia Guerra of Karnes City; son Roberto F. Guerra, Jr of Seguin.  A Holy Rosary will be recited Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 9AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Herman officiating.  Interment will follow in the Guerra Family Ranch Cemetery.

Charlene G. Stockton age 88 formerly of Kenedy died Oct. 27, 2016 in Universal City. She was born in Kenedy to Charles & Josie Shaw Gruenwald.  She married Walter Stockton Aug. 3, 1963 in Karnes City and he preceded her in death Aug. 10, 2006.

She is survived by her daughters, Talitha (Jim) Allee of Sandia, TX, Lisa (Larry) Novak of Kenedy, sons Tracy (Elizabeth) Nash of Universal, City and Wayne (Darlene) Stockton of Kenedy.

A visitation will be held Monday at the Eckols Chapel from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Funeral services will  be at 2:00 PM in the Eckols Chapel with Bro. Jeff  Spendlove officiating.  Interment will be in the Kenedy Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Jim Allee, Wayne Stockton, Larry Novak, James Linder, Wesley Nash, Josh Stockton.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Joseph Maxted, and Trace Nash.

Maria “Cora” Puente Elizondo, Age 87 of Kenedy, TX passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. Maria was born on March 10, 1929 in Kenedy, TX to the late Arnulfo and Saragosa Vasquez Puente.   She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother a homemaker and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dolorez Elizondo; parents, Arnulfo and Saragosa Puente; brothers, Martin Puente, Lupe Puente, Valentin Puente, Alfonso Puente and Big John Puente.

She is survived by her daughters Lupe Guerrero and husband Tito of San Antonio, TX, Julia Sanchez of San Antonio, TX; son, Kelly Elizondo and wife Ofelia of Austin, TX; sisters, Tila Solis of Kenedy, TX, Fannie Lopez of Edinburg, TX; brother, Gilbert Puente of Kenedy, TX; granddaughters, Amaris Guerrero of San Antonio, TX, Merida Elizondo of Austin, TX and great-grandson Tristan Dorado of San Antonio, TX.

A Holy Rosary will be recited on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 11AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Martin Puente, Jr., Michael Solis, David Puente, Johnny Puente, Ricky Puente, and Rene Solis.

John Keith Dudley passed away on October 6, 2016 in San Antonio after a full life that spanned over 93 years. Uncle John, as he was referred to by his family and his neighbors, was born to Beulah “Dude” and Zedkiah Dudley on May 1, 1923.  He was raised in Kenedy, Texas and moved to San Antonio after High School graduation.  He was proud of his service in the U.S. Army and his years as a civil servant at Kelly A.F.B. where he worked until his retirement.  His post-retirement life was very fulfilling since he was a true “Renaissance Man” who had many varied interests and talents.  He enjoyed watching movies and television with his two viewing favorites being anything on PBS and the game show Jeopardy.   His family knew, even his furry baby Buster, not to disturb him when it was time for Jeopardy.  Anyone who met Uncle John soon discovered he was an authentic bibliophile in that he truly loved to read and admired and collected books covering many areas of interest, ranging from historical dramas to mysteries, biographies to paperback novels. He was very proud of his “Rutledge” family heritage and took every opportunity possible to research his family history.  He loved to talk politics and was a genuine “New Deal” Democrat, who expressed as recently as last week, how proud he was that he had voted a straight democratic ticket every time he voted.  He loved to cook, and was famous for his “Mama Dude Chili” and his Spaghetti and Meatballs.   We always looked forward to seeing what mystery dish he was going to bring for Thanksgiving Dinner since he loved to experiment with new recipes he would come across. Uncle John loved music, especially jazz, and was not only a great self-taught artist, but also took pride in the years he was instructor of the Mixed Media Studies Class through the Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR).

More than anything Uncle John was a wonderful, kind, caring human being who loved his family and in turn was loved and cherished by them.  He is survived by his nephew Richard (Rick) N. Clark (Rheda) and his three great-nieces and one great nephew, Margaret Ann Kinman and husband Sam, Carol Marie (Mimi) Sauceda and husband Rudy, Julie Elise Mery and husband George, and Richard (Rick) E. Clark.  In addition, he is survived by nine great great nieces and nephews (Kyle, Lisa, Chad, Nichole, Nicholas, Teryn, Keith, Jeff and Clifton) and seven great great great nieces and nephews [Peyton, Sage, Graydeon, Christopher, Isabella, William (Liam) and Logan].  Uncle John used to laugh about how many greats had to be used when he was introduced to someone, but he was so proud of each and every one of them and shared his art with them over the years and in turn treasured and displayed the art projects he received from them.

A graveside service will be held at the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy Texas at 11:00AM Tuesday, October 11, 2016.

Juan Eusebio Rios, born on September 27, 1951 in Kenedy, TX passed away on October 1, 2016 in Alice, TX at the age of 65. Mr. Rios was preceded in death by his mother, Ramona and his former spouse, Mary Lou Cortez. He is survived by his father, Eusebio Rios, of Kenedy, TX; his sons and daughter, John Rios and wife, Evette Martinez Rios, of La Feria, TX, Shirley Rios and Angela Molina, of Austin, TX and David Rios, of Houston, TX; four granddaughters, Neena Monique Rios, Briana Lauren Rios, Dezarae Jolie Rios, and Anica Janelle Rios; sisters, Nora Leal, of San Antonio, TX, Mary Pardo, Rosenberg, TX and Gloria Hinojosa, Fulsher, TX; brother, Theodoro Rios, Fall City, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. Visitation was held Friday, October 7^th, 2016 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Eckols Chapel . Rosary and Funeral services were held Saturday, October 8^th, 2016 at 10:00AM at Eckols Chapel followed with interment in the Loma Alta Cemetery.